The good folks in New Braunsfel had to cancel this year's Rock Bottom party due to flooding on the property. Fortunately, Kathy and Bill's party in Austin was on higher ground. I think this was the first time Kathy and Bill ever heard me play my 12-string live, although they've seen me play the cuatro many times at various Austin Ukulele Society events.

Bill asked me to start the show with "Don't Dallas My Austin," and I was happy to comply. I had a great time, and also learned the real reason Bill's nickname is "Monster" Jones.

Hated to do it, but had to cancel the show at The Watercrest in Bryan. Last week's rains had thoroughly saturated the ground, and the 4.6" we got at my house this morning was threatening to make it into the back door.

Of course, within five minutes of me making the call to cancel the show, the rain stopped for a while allowing the waters to recede. As I began to second-guess my decision, I saw FB posts of flooded highways with traffic at a stop. Cancelling the show was the right call.

My third trip to Walburg tonight. A bit of a mixed bag of feelings about it for me. Paul, Kaye and I provided the opening song swap, but after telling us we'd get four songs apiece, Scott cut us off after three. Once again, Scott ended the evening with "Dixie," which I find historically and personally uncomfortable. (Texas was part of the Confederacy, but it wasn't really a part of Dixie. Don't believe me? Ask someone from Georgia or Alabama.) Also, he didn't share the tip jar contents afterward. This is, at best, a once a month thing for me.

Gave three good songs at Missoula Slim's open mic night at Rovers tonight. Allowed me to play a few more mellow songs, although at the moment, I can't remember what they were. Maybe "Daddy is a Cowboy Now," "She Won't Rock My Wagon Wheel Anymore," and "Last Chance Tattoo."

I met Hilary Haney at Emin's open mic night in Round Rock, and when she invited me to an early Halloween party, I said, "Sounds like fun." Unfortunately, I'd spent about 10 hours driving from Austin to Dallas and back to Austin in some of the worse rain I've ever driven. I was still exhausted the next day (day of the party), but I made a good try, but by 10 o'clock I was almost falling asleep where I stood, and I had to race home to get my head on its pillow in time to pass out. I missed the pickin' party at the after party.

Had a super time at the Happy Hour Ukes show/jam/open mic/guest shows. Special thanks to Michael at Dylan's Burger House for the venue.

The trip to Dallas had rain all the way, and it poured between Waco and Hillsboro. The trip back was even worse with heavy rain; however, I made the right choice to come home to Austin immediately after the show because Saturday morning, all of I-35 was getting even heavier rain than it did Friday night.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Went to Hilary Haney's early Halloween bash Saturday, but I was still very tired from all of Friday's driving in the the rain, I actually left before the picking circle started. Got home safely, and went straight to sleep.

Saw the Southwestern University Jazz Band perform at Bishops Center on campus. Met with Will and Caleb afterward and discussed the show and music in general.

When I complimented Will on his solos, he replied, "You should have heard it in rehearsal. It was much better then." I thought he sounded great.

Several of David Dunn's friend from Kingsville days made it to town tonight, and everybody got a chance to play. Paul and I opened the show with a 30-minute set.

The Tuesday Uke Group (TUG) met at Tyson Tacos to sing for our supper. Tyson lets customers bring their own beer or wine, and--possibly related to the first part of this sentence--we sang a lot! Great fun!

Met with Anna, Leta and two others down at campus this evening. Of course, I know Anna and Leta from the Austin Ukulele Society meetings, and Leta is also part of the Tuesday Uke Group. Lotsa fun.